Periodic signaling apparatus



April 26, 1949. c. c. CHAMBERS ETAL 2,468,483

PERIODIC SIGNALING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 8, 1947lwamberu' irraR/wsy April 26, 1949. c. c. CHAMBERS ETAL 2,468,483

PERIODIC SIGNALING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 8, 1947 RcJ M MEM (\NVENTOR/ .J OLUG VJ' C. C ha m berzr wranlvey April 26, 1949. c. c.CHAMBERS ErAL 2,463,433

I PERIODIC SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed July 8, 1947 3'SheetS-S heet 3 R 53a s w 0 N I: H I l 2 k w 3 g .4

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INVENTORJ fiolph M.-.fhowevxr Car( C. Chain em I l li HTTORNEV PatentedApr. 26, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Philadelphia,

Pa, assignors, by mesne assignments, to the United States resented bythe Secretary of of America as rep- War Application July 8, 1947, SerialNo. 759,580

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to signaling apparatus, and particularlyto a signaling device which will operate automatically andintermittently once the control mechanism is released.

In the discharge of canisters and other cargo from airplanes while inflight, as under wartime conditions, or in inaccessible territory at anytime, it is highly desirable that some audible signaling device beassociated with the packages so that they may be readily located by theintended receiver on the ground. It is also desirable that the signalingdevice continue to operate over a considerable period of time so as toalford the ground personnel sumcient opportunity to locate the package,and this without liability of attracting the attention of the enemy ifwartime conditions prevail.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an audiblesignaling device which will provide delayed action, i. e., will beginoperation a substantial period of time after package to which it isattached has been released from the airplane.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a signaling devicewhich will operate intermittently so as to conserve the use of theoperating fluid and thus extend the period of time during which thesignal may be sounded.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a signalingdevice which may be repeatedly used from time to time by recharging thetank with compressed fluid which is used as the operating means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the complete apparatus with a sidewall of the casing removed and parts shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an edge elevational view of the complete apparatus with partof the casing broken away;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the encased apparatus with the interiorconstruction shown in dotted outline.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig.1.

The completely assembled signaling apparatus is disclosed in Figs. 1, 2,and 3, and the main features of the combination will be first describedand then the detailed description of the controlling mechanism for theWhistle or other audible signal which may be employed in thecombination.

The container, which is indicated by the numeral i, is provided with aclosure l, and has mounted therein a main tank 2 for compressed fluidssuch as nitrogen, air, etc, and an auxiliary tank 3 which is shown inthe present instance as surrounding the lower portion of the main tank2. Associated with the upper end of the main tank 2 is a controlmechanism 4, which constitutes the essence of the present invention, andto the interior of which are connected hose members 5 and 6 leadingrespectively to the auxiliary tank 3 and to a whistle l which extends tothe exterior of the container l and is provided with a suitable guard t.Straps 9 and iii are mounted on the container cxteriorly thereof andserve to secure the signaling apparatus to a canister or other type ofcargo to be discharged from an airplane or the like, and side wall ofthe container adjacent the upper end is provided with an opening throughwhich extends a cord H for setting the control mechanism in operation,as will be described hereinafter. Also extending from the container I,through an opening i2, is a cord 13 which is attached to the hose 6through the medium of a clip M- and serves to disconnect the hose by apulling movement, thereby stopping the action of the whistle.

Referring now to the control mechanism, generally indicated by thenumeral 4 and disclosed in detail in the enlarged sectional views ofFigs. 4 and 5, the numeral l5 indicates a casing provided with apressure chamber 16, through the central portion of which extends thesolid integral web member I? which is substantially narrower than thewidth of the chamber and thus permits communication between the upperand lower portions of the latter. Threaded into the side of the webportion ll of the container is the main pressure tank 2, andcommunication between the interior of the tank and the pressure chamberI 6 is provided by means of the transverse passage l8 and thelongitudinal passage l9. The passage l8 also provides a means forrecharging the tank 2, as will be later described.

Mounted within and adjacent the top of the pressure chamber I6 is aflexible diaphragm 20, the edges of the diaphragm bein clamped to thecasing by means of the closure 2! and bolts 22. Attached to thediaphragm 26 at its central portion is a threaded rod 23 which is alsothreaded to a sleeve 24 slidably mounted in an opening in the closure2!. A nut 24' is employed for locking the sleeve 24. to the rod 23. Thissleeve is him ited in its downward movement by a U-shaped pin 25 whichhas connected to its outer end 26 the cord ll, heretofore referred to,which serves to initiate the operation of the whistle. A perforatedblock Zl is secured to the lower end of the rod 23 and supports adownwardly extending inverted. u-shaped member 28.", to the. free endsof which is attached a crossbar 29. Threaded in the bar 29 is a screw313, on the upper end of which is formed or mounted a cup 31 carrying. avalve member 32 for normally closing the lower.

end of the vertical passage [9 of the web ll, the walls of the cup beingprovided with lateral openings 33 for facilitating communication betweenthe passage IS and the pressurechamber 15.; It will be apparent fromthis arrangement that when the parts are properly adjusted, the valve 32will prevent the escape of compressed fluid from the tank 2 into thepressure chamber l6; However, when the cord H is pulled, the pinlit-wilhbe-withdr-awn and the sieeVe'Z l will be allowed to moverelative to the closure 21 and thus-lower: the valve body 32 and permitthe escapepf. the compressed fluid from the main tanka2sthroughthepassageways l8, l9 and'opa ings :33 rintothe pressure chamber.

Asrheretofore. mentioned, the present signaling apparatus is providedwith an auxiliary tank 3 and-.a-:-hose:5. for providing communicationbetween .thetwo tanks. The hose is connected to the nipple which isthreadedinto the lower portion-3fi of the. casing and communicates witha chambered formed in the lower end of the unit by means ofcomplementary cavities formed in the closuretE-r and anzin-termediatemember seiwhich areclamped. to the casing by means of bolts 31.Communication between the interior of the nipple andzthe chambert lisprovided by means of a passageway-38 formed'in the member 36, andcommunication between the chamber 34 and the chamber: lfii'is providedby means of the vertical passageway 39: formed in the member 36. Aflexible. diaphragm 353; similar to diaphragm in the chamber. It, ismounted in the lower chamber 3'ltrby': clamping its peripheral edgebetween the-'lower-closure 35* and the body member 3%, andithexoperationof;the diaphragm is supplemented by-amarched spring disc 4!. This disc,which is provided with a central opening 42-, is mountedzupon a plate d3whichis fixed to the uppenend of a hollow screw plug l l'threaded intoandithroughthe lower closure member 35. Within: the plug M is a tubularmember &5 which extends exteriorly of the plug and has a nipple 5'secured-"toitslower end, and which nipple is attached to hose 6 forconducting pressurefluid towthe whistl'e T'from time-to time aspermitted by the control mechanism.

The lower body-member 36 is provided with a valve. seat'fifi'centrallyof its lower side, the valve seat being 'surrounded'by an annular cavityt'll communicating with the pressure chamber 34 above thedi'aphragm lli,and the latter is-provided-with valvebody 48 cooperating with thevalve'seat- 46; Extending centrally through the valve body 48 is a smallvertical passageway 49 which; at theproper time, permits the passage ofpressure fi'uid tothe opening 52in disc GI and thence through the tube45 to the hose 5 and the whistle'l. Mounted atthe bottom of thepassagew-ay.39',' i. e.-', at the restricted portion thereof, isa--fi"exible disc 5!] provided with a central slit 5! which serves: as ameans for bleeding pressure fluid'ifromthechamber lfito thechamber 34.It will thus bes seenithat if i pressure fluidiis in chamber 16 it willgradually bleed through the flexible disc 50 into the pressure chamber34 and pass therefrom through the passage 38, nipple 5' and hose 5 intothe auxiliary tank 3, and that if the pressure in tank 3 and chamber 34becomes sufi'iciently great it will flex the diaphragm 40 and springdisc l l downwardly so as to "open :valve 48 and permit the. escape ofthe= pressure fluid through the passageway 49, tube 45, and hose 6 tothe whistle 1.

Means for recharging the main tank 2 with compressed fluid, after thesignaling apparatus has been usedandis being prepared for re-use,consists of'a spring-pressed ball valve 52 mounted in a chamber 53in theweb member ll and communicating with transverse passage l8 by means ofapertures h t-formed in a disc 55 seated on the base of the chamber 53.This ball valve cooperates with a valve seat 56 formed at the inner endof a tube 5'5 threaded into the casing l5 and communicating with :thechamber 53: The .zouter endof the. tube 5-? is of course: provided-withasuitable connection 58 by means. of. which a sourceof compressed fluid:may be connected to the tube: ill thereby opening the valve 52 andpassingzthrough apertures-Enl and passageway l8 into the interior of themaintankz.

In the construction of this signalin apparatus, thediaphragrn- 225i isadjustedsowthat: it will be. flexedupwardly to closer the-1 valve 31,-32xwhen the: pressure within the-chamber lfiiamounts to about 50'. lbsand the. diaphragm and .its related serve as; apressure regulator to 1from the. tank parts therefore control the flow of pressure-fluid 11160117116; chamber. lfi to'maintain 50: lbs.- pressure upinthe auxiliarytank 3" and chamber therein after the latch for the valve has beenreleased by pulling upon the cord It; also, thexdiae phragm dfiandspring-disc 4| arezarrangedito be operated when a pressure of about 25lbs. is built 34 by means otithe. bleeding action through the slitteddisc 50; In this connection, it'is to be noted that the passageway 49 issomewhat larger incrosss section than the slot in disc 50, andconsequently when the valve t8 isopened pressure fluid willexhaust'through the passageway- 49 faster than itbuilds up in tank-=3gwith a consequent 'reduction in pressure in the chamber 34, therebycausing the valve-t8 to closeagain. The arrangement and adjustment ofthe: parts are: therefore: such that'the valve ldl'has a pulsatingaction, remain ing open for about onesecond-and closed tor-about threeseconds while the pressurein 'the auxiliary tankand chamber 34" againbuilds -up to about 25'lbs.

As =hereinbefore 1 indicated; the present signaling apparatus isintended for 'use-inuconnection with packages discharged from airplaneswhile in' flight, and'has for its-purpose-to-=provide-an audible signalcapable ofbeing heardseveral hun dredyards distant, and whiclrwilloperate for a period ofabout twenty minutes so as toafford the intendedreceivers sufiicient time to locate the particular article. To this end,the construction as hereinbefore described is-so arranged' 'that-thesignaling device will not operate for a period of about twentysecondsa-fterit has been discharged from the airplane, i. a, about twenty'seoond-s after the-cordll'is pulled: This period ot-inoperativeness ofthe whistle is causedby the time required for the pressure fluidto buildup within th e chamber l6 to-a pressure-or about= 50*1bss This pressureWithin the chamber I6 5 which =-is maintamed at about "50' 1bssthroughthe: medium of: the pressure regulator: 20;: gradually: bleedsthroughthe bleeder valve 50, until about 25 lbs. pressure has built up in theauxiliary tank 3 and pressure chamber 34, and then the valve 48 iscaused to open about every four seconds, one second being the periodduring which the whistle is blown and the other three seconds being theperiod of time required for the pressure to build up again to 25 lbs. tocause the whistle to be operated again. By adjustment of the parts, itwill be readily understood that the various pressures referred to may bevaried to suit particular requirements, and the amount of fluidinitially placed in the tank 2 may be varied to permit a longer orshorter operation of the whistle. After the particular package has beenrecovered and the signaling device removed, the tank 2 may be recharged,as hereinbeiore described, and placed in use from time to time asrequired.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have described what we nowconsider to be the preferred construction of the signaling device, butit is obvious that various changes may be made therein without in anyway departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended thatall such changes be included within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An audible signaling apparatus comprising a fluid-operated soundingdevice, a tank of fluid for operating the sounding device, releasablemeans for normally maintaining the apparatus inoperative, and means fordelaying the operation of the sounding device after the releasable meansis operated.

2. An audible signaling apparatus comprising a fluid-operated soundingdevice, a tank of fluid for operating the sounding device, means forautomatically and intermittently feeding a portion of the fluid to thesounding device, releasable means for normally maintaining the apparatusinoperative, and means for delaying the operation of the sounding deviceafter the releasable means is operated.

3. An audible signaling apparatus comprising a fluid-operated soundingdevice, a tank of compressed fluid for operating the sounding device, asupplemental tank communicating with firstmentioned tank, a pressureregulator for controlling the flow of fluid from one tank to the other,means for feeding pressure fluid from the second-mentioned tank to thesounding device, and releasable means for normally maintaining theapparatus inoperative.

4. An audible signaling apparatus comprising a fluid-operated soundingdevice, a pair of communicating tanks for containing compressed fluid, apressure regulator for controlling the flow of pressure fluid from onetank to the second tank, another pressure regulator for controlling theflow of pressure fluid from the second of said tanks to the soundingdevice, and manually operable means for normally maintaining theapparatus inoperative.

5. An audible signaling apparatus comprising a fluid-operated soundingdevice, a casing provided with a pressure chamber, first and secondfluid-pressure tanks adapted to communicate with said chamber, means forcontrollin the flow of fluid from one tank to the other, a pressureregulator for controlling the fiow of fluid from the second tank to thesounding device, and manually operable means for normally maintainingthe apparatus inoperative.

6. An audible signaling apparatus comprising 6 a fluid-operated soundingdevice, a casing provided with a pressure chamber, a pair offluidpressure tanks adapted to communicate with said chamber, a pressureregulator for controlling the flow of fluid from one tank to thepressure chamber, means for bleeding pressure fluid from the chamber tothe other tank, a pressure regulator for controlling the flow of fluidfrom the lastmentioned tank to the sounding device, and manuallyoperable means for normally maintaining the apparatus inoperative.

7. An audible signaling apparatus comprising a fluid-operated soundindevice, a casin provided With a pressure chamber, a main fluidpressuretank and an auxiliary fluid-pressure tank adapted to communicate Withsaid chamber, pressure regulators for controlling the flow of fluid fromthe main tank to the auxiliary and from the last-mentioned tank to thesounding device, and valved means for charging the main tank with fluidpressure.

8. An audible signaling apparatus comprising a fluid-operated soundingdevice, a casing provided with a pressure chamber, a main fluidpressuretank and an auxiliary fluid pressure tank adapted to communicate withsaid chamber, and pressure regulators for controlling the flow of fluidfrom the main tank to the auxiliary tank and from the last-mentionedtank to the sounding device.

9. An audible signaling apparatus comprising a fluid-operated soundingdevice, a casing provided with a pressure chamber, a main fluidpressuretank and an auxiliary fluid pressure tank adapted to communicate withsaid chamber, pressure regulators for controlling the flow of fluid fromthe main tank to the auxiliary tank and from the last-mentioned tank tothe sounding device, and releasable means for normally maintaining theapparatus inoperative.

10. An audible signaling apparatus comprising a fluid-operated soundingdevice, a casing provided with a pressure chamber, a main fluidpressuretank and an auxiliary fluid pressure tank adapted to communicate withsaid chamber, pressure regulators for controlling the flow of fluid fromthe main tank to the auxiliary tank and from the last-mentioned tank tothe sounding device, and a bleed valve between the pressure chamber andauxiliary tank.

11. An audible signaling apparatus comprising a fluid-operated soundingdevice, a casing provided with a pressure chamber, a main fluidpressuretank and an auxiliary fluid pressuretank adapted to communicate withsaid chamber, pressure regulators for controlling the flow of fluid fromthe main tank to the auxiliary tank and from the last-mentioned tank tothe sounding device, a bleed valve between the pressure chamber andauxiliary tank, and releasable means for normally maintaining theapparatus inoperative.

CARL C. CHAMBERS. RALPH M. SHOWERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 511,400 Bostwick et a1 Dec. 26,1893 637,925 Dixon Nov. 28, 1899 882,039 Willson Mar. 17, 1908 1,929,019Ehn Oct. 3, 1933

